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Aerospace & Defense

Louisiana’s aerospace and defense sector is growing fast, driven by world-class infrastructure, development-ready sites, competitive incentives, and a top-ranked workforce pipeline supported by higher education partnerships.

Louisiana: A Launchpad for Aerospace and Defense Innovation

Louisiana is a proven partner in advancing U.S. aerospace and defense capabilities. From high-growth aviation companies to key Department of Defense contractors, the state offers the infrastructure, workforce, and pro-business climate these industries demand.

Louisiana is home to both industry pioneers like Arrow Aviation and Metro Aviation, and major players such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Western Global Airlines. These companies benefit from Louisiana’s central location, multimodal logistics, and a talent pipeline built through nationally ranked workforce training programs.

Defense is a vital part of Louisiana’s economy. The state is supporting a broad network of contractors delivering critical goods and services, from shipbuilding and engineering to cybersecurity and infrastructure development.

Defense Economic Impact

$9.64 Billion

Annual economic impact of U.S. military spending in Louisiana

77,000

Louisiana jobs supported by U.S. military spending

9,000

Northwest Louisiana jobs provided by Barksdale Air Force Base

$770 million

In payroll from Fort Johnson, formerly Fort Polk

$9.64 Billion

Annual economic impact of U.S. military spending in Louisiana

77,000

Louisiana jobs supported by U.S. military spending

9,000

Northwest Louisiana jobs provided by Barksdale Air Force Base

$770 million

In payroll from Fort Johnson, formerly Fort Polk

Supporting the Defense Industry Through Specialized Services

Louisiana’s aerospace and defense sectors are backed by a robust professional services industry that includes engineering, consulting, and technical support essential to complex operations.

Marine and dredging companies play a key role in this ecosystem by maintaining navigable waterways, supporting coastal infrastructure, and ensuring access for shipbuilding and defense-related activities. These specialized services help keep critical industries moving safely and efficiently.

Explore Professional Services

A Business Climate That Helps Companies Soar

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Boeing

Employs 1,100 Louisiana workers, many at the Michoud Assembly Facility, where the company is the prime contractor responsible for assembly of two stages of the Space Launch System rocket for the Artemis space flight missions.

Lockheed Martin

Employs 280 specialists who are building the structure of the Orion Crew Capsule and other major components for the Artemis program at Michoud.

Northrop Grumman

Ranked 86th in Fortune 500’s 2021 list of America’s largest companies and operates a 900,000 square foot Aircraft Maintenance and Fabrication Center with nearly 450 employees and contractors in Lake Charles.

Citadel Completions

Provides aircraft maintenance and luxury interiors for Boeing and Airbus aircraft in Lake Charles.

Arrow Aviation

Specializes in maintenance, repair and overhaul of helicopters in Broussard.

Metro Aviation

A national medical transport helicopter completions and operations leader in Shreveport.

NASA

Labeled its Michoud Assembly Facility in eastern New Orleans—the agency’s only dedicated manned space manufacturing facility—“America’s Rocket Factory.”

Boeing

Employs 1,100 Louisiana workers, many at the Michoud Assembly Facility, where the company is the prime contractor responsible for assembly of two stages of the Space Launch System rocket for the Artemis space flight missions.

Lockheed Martin

Employs 280 specialists who are building the structure of the Orion Crew Capsule and other major components for the Artemis program at Michoud.

Northrop Grumman

Ranked 86th in Fortune 500’s 2021 list of America’s largest companies and operates a 900,000 square foot Aircraft Maintenance and Fabrication Center with nearly 450 employees and contractors in Lake Charles.

Citadel Completions

Provides aircraft maintenance and luxury interiors for Boeing and Airbus aircraft in Lake Charles.

Arrow Aviation

Specializes in maintenance, repair and overhaul of helicopters in Broussard.

Metro Aviation

A national medical transport helicopter completions and operations leader in Shreveport.

NASA

Labeled its Michoud Assembly Facility in eastern New Orleans—the agency’s only dedicated manned space manufacturing facility—“America’s Rocket Factory.”

Propelled by a Customized Workforce

Louisiana’s aerospace and aviation industries benefit from a robust, right-to-work workforce, with over 430,000 employed in manufacturing. The National Center for Advanced Manufacturing (NACM), established in 1999, pioneers advanced manufacturing for NASA and related industries. Nunez Community College’s curriculum aligns with Boeing’s Michoud Assembly Facility needs, while LED FastStart develops customized curricula and provides equipment to the Louisiana Community and Technical College System.

Additionally, four A&P schools in Louisiana, including Baton Rouge Community College, South Louisiana Community College, Southern University at Shreveport and SOWELA Technical Community College offer comprehensive aviation maintenance training. Louisiana Economic Development partners with the Louisiana Community and Technical College System to equip 12 campuses with 5-axis CNC machining centers. The state produces over 22,000 manufacturing-relevant graduates annually and promotes innovation through centers like the Louisiana Center for Manufacturing Sciences and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

Louisiana’s Military Installations

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Barksdale Air Force Base

  • Bossier Parish
  • 9,000 jobs and over
  • $570 million payroll

Fort Johnson

  • Vernon Parish
  • 15,000 jobs
  • $770 million in payroll

Naval Air Station Reserve Base

  • Plaquemines Parish
  • 1,800 naval jobs
  • $170+ million in spending

Marine Forces Reserve

  • Orleans Parish
  • 1,400 military and civilian personnel
  • Annual expenditures over $80 million

Naval Information Warfare Center

  • Orleans Parish
  • Nearly 600 jobs
  • $119 million in spending

Barksdale Air Force Base

  • Bossier Parish
  • 9,000 jobs and over
  • $570 million payroll

Fort Johnson

  • Vernon Parish
  • 15,000 jobs
  • $770 million in payroll

Naval Air Station Reserve Base

  • Plaquemines Parish
  • 1,800 naval jobs
  • $170+ million in spending

Marine Forces Reserve

  • Orleans Parish
  • 1,400 military and civilian personnel
  • Annual expenditures over $80 million

Naval Information Warfare Center

  • Orleans Parish
  • Nearly 600 jobs
  • $119 million in spending

Talent Pipeline

The military accounts for nearly 4% of Louisiana jobs – about one out of every 26 jobs in the state.

Defense Contractors

Shipbuilding and repairing is the leading defense industry sector in Louisiana, accounting for $971 million in contract work and nearly 40% of all defense contract spending in the state.

Cybersecurity

Serving as the anchor of Louisiana’s Cyber Corridor, Shreveport hosts the Cyber Innovation Center and its National Cyber Research Park (NCRP), providing space for collaborating, conducting leading research and developing state-of-the-art technologies.

Military Installations

Military installations like Barksdale Air Force Base and Fort Polk play vital roles in Louisiana's economy, providing jobs and fostering community involvement. These installations secure both economic benefits and national freedom.

Major Aviation Employers

2024 Aerospace and Aviation Brochure

Browse Certified Sites

Louisiana Economic Development’s Certified Sites program boasts a strong commitment to shovel-ready business investment and a rigorous pre-qualification process. By declaring a site’s readiness for development, potential investors are made comfortable knowing that much of the startup work has already been taken care of.

Certified Sites Programs

The LED Certified Sites program qualifies industrial sites based on zoning restrictions, title work, environmental studies, soil analysis and surveys. These sites are 180-day development ready and have substantial due diligence studies performed to receive certification.
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Browse Certified Sites

To assist companies needing to make complex site identification decisions, LED has secured or has access to GIS maps for every region of the state — enabling project managers to locate suitable sites quickly.
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Success Stories

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Project Announcements

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